Intel Unveils GigaBlade OC-48, Revolutionizing Optical Network Management

Strategic Insights -

Intel Corporation today unveiled the Intel(R) GigaBlade(TM) OC-48 multi-transport optical network access engine, a groundbreaking device designed to provide enhanced services to customers by providing greater intelligence about the type of traffic that flows over an optical network. The GigaBlade-based server cards connect WANs, MANs, and LANs, offering real-time optical network management, provisioning, asset allocation, and security. By acting as a monitor on the optical fiber, the GigaBlade extracts data, which can then be processed by various applications, including billing, provisioning, and hacker intrusion detection.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Intel GigaBlade OC-48 supports virtually any network protocol, including ATM, POS, SONET/SDH, and POF.
  • The device acts as a front-end optical processing subsystem, converting optical signals into electrical signals, processing them, and storing them in local or system memory.
  • An Intel(R) architecture processor in the server can then do higher-layer processing and make the information visible to the user in graphic or data format.
  • The GigaBlade OC-48 enables standard servers to provide visibility into optical networks, with the goal of improving response time and performance.
  • The device is designed to operate with any high-speed server with a standard PCI slot, with its performance optimized for 64-bit servers.
  • Intel's GigaBlade OC-48 is part of the Intel(R) Internet Exchange(TM) (IX) architecture, an end-to-end family of high-performance, scalable hardware and software development solutions.
  • The GigaBlade OC-48 is currently sampling and expected to be available in limited volume starting in the fourth quarter of this year, with pricing starting at $7,500 in volume quantities.

Statistics:

  • $7,500: the volume pricing for the Intel GigaBlade OC-48.
  • Quarter 4, 2000: the expected availability date for the Intel GigaBlade OC-48 in limited volume.
  • 2000: the year in which the Intel GigaBlade OC-48 was unveiled.

Sources:

  • Intel Corporation, "Intel Unveils GigaBlade OC-48, Revolutionizing Optical Network Management," BUSINESS WIRE, August 21, 2000.
  • Intel Corporation, www.intel.com/pressroom, access date August 21, 2000.
  • Enkido Inc., Nayel Shafei, CEO, press statement.